Photometric anomalies of the lunar surface: Results from Clementine data

Abstract

We mapped the photometric characteristics of the lunar surface for several small areas using Clementine UVVIS camera images. The maps of the phase function steepness showed several anomalous sites. Several small fresh impact craters have anomalous halos in these maps. The phase function within the halos is less steep than for the surrounding mare surface. We interpret these halos to be due to geologically recent impact‐caused alteration of the equilibrium millimeter‐scale regolith structure. This equilibrium structure is established through micrometeoritic bombardment at a geologically short timescale. An anomaly of the same signature was found at the Apollo 15 landing site. We interpret it as being a result of the regolith structure alteration with the lander jets. A unique photometric anomaly not correlated with albedo was found within the Reiner Gamma Formation. We suggest that this anomaly is genetically related to the formation, which indicates its young age. This favors the impact hypothesis for the nature of the Reiner Gamma Formation. Our study showed that mapping of photometric characteristics is a new powerful tool in studies of the surfaces of atmosphereless bodies. Future photometric studies of the Moon with existing and new data sets are promising for a search for traces of recent seismic events, studies of the recent population of meteoroids in the inner solar system, an advance in the understanding of swirls, etc.